If street photography is about capturing the chaotic hustle of city life, Boogie is the master of that skill. His photos zone in on offbeat moments usually closed off from the world. It’s a lens on life that’s difficult to look through, but rewards all those who do. In this short film, Huck wanders through London by the Serbian shooter’s side and turns the lens back on the source.
Boogie captures subjects in public places, letting each shot tell a different story and is, by some margin, one of the best photographic storytellers on the planet. He’s a product of Belgrade, but has lived in New York since 1998. His brutal, brilliant photos of gang culture in places like Brooklyn, New York (between 2003 and 2006), and Kingston, Jamaica (in 2011), earned him a cult following, and his five photobooks have cemented his reputation as a defining figure in street photography’s contemporary history.
But there’s more to Boogie than just gangs and guns – his subject matter charts everything from the mundane to the extreme; from everyday scenes to life on the fringes of society. French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson spoke of the decisive moment – literally, the single instant in any situation which will encapsulate it perfectly. Boogie is absurdly good at knowing just when that is, whether he’s following skinheads in Belgrade, standing on a bathtub as a crack addict jams a needle into a vein, or catching two Mexican mariachi musicians waiting for their ride to a gig.
To read the full interview with Boogie, get yourself a copy of Huck 43 – out March 9, 2014. You can pre-order a copy in the Huck shop, get a year’s subscription for just £22 or pick it up at your local newsstand.
You might like
Celebrating the art of making out on tour with Tove Lo
The Kiss Book — In the wake of the pandemic, photographer Kenny Laubbacher travelled around several countries with the Swedish pop star, capturing the joy and desire of kissing fans.
Written by: Zoe Whitfield
Vintage photos of London street life at the turn of the millennium
London 1995-2005 — In her new photobook, Joan Piekny reflects on a decade shooting the styles and subcultures of the UK capital’s streets, just before technology .
Written by: Miss Rosen
Princess Julia: “I always state my age as I can’t believe I’m still around”
First lady — As the latest Artist-In-Residence of Huck 83, the London nightlife legend speaks to Josh Jones and provides a few recommendations and words of wisdom.
Written by: Josh Jones
A luminous portrait of Black life over six decades
Shared Memories — As staff photographer for The New York Times, Chester Higgins captured Black culture and spiritual connection like no other. A new exhibition celebrates his life and impact.
Written by: Miss Rosen
An intimate window into New York’s ’70s lesbian scene
We Others — An exhibition at The Photographer’s Gallery combines Donna Gottschalk’s unearthed photographs of LGBTQ+ activists and friends, along with Hélène Gianneccini’s written histories.
Written by: Miss Rosen
A tender portrait of life and ritual from Mexico City’s streets
Órale — For the last six years of his life, photographer, collector and designer Michel Hurst documented death rituals, street life and religious pageantry in contemporary Mexico. A new monograph showcases his work.
Written by: Roxana Diba
